I can't remember the last time I saw something refreshing since perhaps Tsui Hark's THE BLADE. Pretty much every wuxia movie in recent times, including Ang Lee's CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON and Zhang Zimou's epics HERO and CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER, haven't been so impressive to me on the whole because I felt they were lacking something despite doing something different to the genre. Honestly, other than those movies, I can't think of anything else in recent times that comes close to the former movie. Having seen the trailers, I already got hopes for 14 BLADES and had half-expectations for the movie to be very good overall although I had doubts as well. After seeing it, I'm impressed. I'm very surprised at how well done Daniel Lee ended up handling the movie. The overall story, its' characters; events; solutions and conclusions. Everything is good here. I enjoyed not only the big moments (the conflicts and confrontations etc.) but every seconds of everything.

The cast was good and so was the acting, for the most part. Donnie Yen has really shown himself to be remarkable these recent years when it comes to acting and we all knew that after seeing him in IP MAN and the recent BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (although he was nothing more than a supporting actor). 14 BLADES somewhat marks another great showcase of his acting ability and he just gets better from movie to movie. Already anticipating the upcoming projects he's doing next! Vicki Zhao Wei is equally as good in her role as Donnie Yen's hostage-turned aid and love interest. The relationship that develops between them two isn't really new but the way they go through everything alone and together relies a little more on the ability to make own decisions as well as valuing trust and sacrifice as much as valuing love and regret (I don't think I see that often in movies as it's always about love and sacrifice) and I felt that gave their relationship more weight and resulted something fresh, which was fascinating to get into. Kate Tsui is also someone worth noting. Despite her popularity (she's hot, I'll tell you that!), her reputation (acting skills, private life, event appearances etc) and her small output in movies, I can see where she could become bigger and more talented as an actress. She was pretty good in EYE IN THE SKY but I think it's this movie that could send her into bigger roles in bigger-scaled movies so it should be interesting to see more from her in the future.

And not to forget the action sequences which is one thing that makes 14 BLADES a must-see movie for those who are fans of wuxia martial arts movies. Choreographed by Yuen Woo Ping's co-action director Guk Hin-Chiu (someone to look out for in the future, this man has got talents!), the action strongly showcases wirework and weapons common to this genre but also features a whole lot of empty-handed combat, something wuxia movies often tend to lack. And mostly, the action performances depend on authentic and natural skills of those who are either veterans or even new to this game. Thanks to Guk Hin-Chiu's creative style of action choreography, we get treated to influential and refreshing fight scenes not seen in a long time. Plus the way these scenes are edited (some may not appreciate this style, Daniel Lee's styles) and the way Guk Hin-Chiu put emphasis on the look and feel of the choreography are tastefully done. You get involved by react to the power of the techniques and the rhythm/pacing of the choreography, an important aspect of making good fight scenes. Everyone delivers good fighting performances, even the likes of Wu Zun, Kate Tsui and Qi Yu-Wu.

Overall, I'm pleased with this movie. Donnie Yen has brought us another good movie but thanks to Daniel Lee, we have finally got a great addition in the now tiring trend of wuxia movies and other ancient-based movies that hasn't been the same since the early 1990s when all the classics were produced and loved by the now disappointing Hong Kong audience.